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At Dubai Design Week, Audi Middle East announced the third winner of the Audi Innovation Award. Elias El Soueidi from Lebanon, with his project ‘ R2R’, took home the winning trophy and prize of $25,000 worth of consultancy to develop his idea, together with a trip to the Audi factory in Ingolstadt and the opportunity to meet the Audi Design Team. The AIA top three winning design concepts are presented in the Audi Innovation Hub in d3 Design District from 13 to 16 November 2018. Audi Middle East are also exhibiting the new Audi A6, A7 and Q8 at Dubai Design Week.

The Audi Innovation Award is now in its third year and has consistently grown in status and popularity since its inception in 2016. The first of its kind in the Middle East, the Audi Innovation Award seeks to empower local designers and inspire the region with innovative creations that can improve the way we live. It is an annual competition open to anyone residing in the GCC and most Levant countries.

On October 26th 2018, Audi concluded its first ever regional After Sales competition “The Audi Twin Cup Challenge” for the Technical and Service Advisor teams from all Audi Service Centres throughout the Middle East and Levant. This competition pitted the skills and knowledge of the 5 most successful teams from the region in both Service and Technical categories, with the aim to identify the top 3 best performing teams overall.

The third quarter of this year featured numerous adverse factors for the Audi Group: As expected, restrictions in the sales portfolio caused by the changeover to WLTP had an increasingly negative effect. At the same time, the densely packed program of phase-outs and ramp-ups in connection with the broadest model initiative in Audi’s history reached its peak with high ramp-up costs in the second half of the year. As a result of an administrative order issued by the Munich II Public Prosecutor’s Office imposing a fine in connection with the diesel issue, AUDI AG reports special items of €800 million at the end of the third quarter. At €44.3 billion, the Audi Group’s revenue for the period from January through September reached the previous year’s level. After special items, operating profit for the first nine months amounted to €2.9 billion; adjusted for special items, it was €3.7 billion and thus moderately below the prior-year figure. This results in an operating return on sales before special items of 8.3 percent. The successful joint venture business in China is not included in this figure and is shown in the significantly increased financial result.

Even more distinctive, sportier and focused: The Audi R8 Performance Edition, comes complete with the full package of Audi Sport performance parts taking the already superb R8 handling to a new level, providing an extraordinary driving experience together with amazing race car looks.

2018-10-30One-two win at Laguna Seca and third manufacturers' title for Audi at the Intercontinental GT Challenge

Spectacular finale at the fourth and final round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC): At Laguna Seca/USA, Audi Sport customer racing turned a nine-point deficit into a 11-point advantage to secure the title in the manufacturers' classification for the third consecutive time. This was thanks to a double victory at the California 8 Hours.

All eleven Formula E teams recently met for the official pre-season tests of the racing series in Valencia. This is the only comparison with the competition before the ABB FIA Formula E Championship starts its new season in mid-December on the occasion of the test Audi unveiled the liveries of Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi’s all-electric Audi e-tron FE05 cars to media and fans.

In systematic pursuit of its digitalization strategy, Audi is offering its customers ever-greater in-car connectivity. The latest example: The new, fully electric Audi e-tron SUV has Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service on board. It is seamless integrated into the car’s MMI operating system – no smartphone is necessary.

The brand with the four rings is launching its electrification offensive with the world premiere of the Audi e-tron. By 2025 Audi will offer twelve automobiles with all-electric drive in the most important markets worldwide and achieve roughly one-third of its sales with electrified models. The SUVs in this portfolio include the e-tron and the e-tron Sportback debuting in 2019. A series of models with classic body layouts such as Avant and Sportback will also be available. The range will cover every relevant market segment from the compact to the full-size class

Audi starts into the future: This Monday, Audi begins mass production of the Audi e-tron in Brussels. The brand’s first all-electric SUV has a range suitable for everyday use. With a charging capacity of up to 150 kW at quick-charging stations, it is ready for its next long-distance drive in about 30 minutes. Audi will present the unveiled electric car for the first time at its world premiere in San Francisco on September 17.

2018-09-04The new Audi A7 Sportback:Sporty face of Audi in the luxury class now available in the Middle East

The new A7 Sportback represents the new Audi design language and delivers on the design promise made by the prologue concept car studies. The four-door coupe sets standards in the luxury class when it comes to progressiveness. It embodies a new style of Gran Turismo, with dynamic lines, systematic digitalization, a sporty driving experience and a versatile space concept. The new A7 is now available in Audi Showrooms throughout the Middle East.

For the first time, Audi is presenting a design and technical concept car at Pebble Beach Automotive Week in Monterey, California. The all-electric Audi PB18 e-tron presents a radical vision for the high-performance sports car of tomorrow. Broad and flat, visibly inspired by the wind tunnel and the race track, its very presence signals that it is destined to push boundaries. Its concept and exciting lines were created in the new Audi design studio in Malibu, California – where the brand’s design is consistently being updated for the future. The technical concept of the PB18 e-tron has benefitted from Audi's many years of winning the Le Mans racing series. The experts at Audi Sport GmbH, the high-performance subsidiary of Audi, were responsible for implementation. The abbreviated name “PB18 e-tron” refers both to the Pebble Beach venue for the premiere and to the technological DNA it shares with the successful LMP1 racing car Audi R18 e-tron.

2018-08-16The new face of the Q family: Audi Q8 now available to order in the Middle East

The Audi Q8 combines the best of two worlds – the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe and the convenient versatility of a large SUV. The generously dimensioned interior with variable luggage compartment, state-of-the-art operating and suspension technologies as well as intelligent assistance systems make the Audi Q8 a convincing companion for business and leisure. With the permanent quattro all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of up to 254 millimeters, the SUV coupe can continue when paved roads end. The Audi Q8, which is manufactured at the Bratislava plant, can be ordered now and will be available at all Middle East dealers beginning of October. Prices in the UAE start at 315,000 AED (incl. VAT).

2018-08-13Uwe Hermann Appointed as Sales Director for Audi Middle East

As an automotive professional with extensive international and multicultural experience, Uwe Hermann has worked in the Middle East for more than 16 years. He joins the brand with the Four Rings from sister brand Porsche, where he held the role of Senior Regional Sales Manager. In his new role, he will lead the sales for the Audi brand across 11 countries, 12 importers and 24 dealer facilities in the GCC and Levant.

2018-08-12Audi achieves solid financials in first half of the year and anticipates growing challenges

In the first half of 2018, the Audi Group increased its revenue to €31.2 billion and its operating profit to €2.8 billion. The Four Rings’ operating return on sales followed a stable development and amounted to 8.9 percent, as in the first half of last year. As forecast in the annual report, the company expects significant fluctuations of its key financials and volume figures during 2018. Following an increase in deliveries to customers of 4.5 percent in the first half of this year, there will be an increasingly negative impact in the second half of the year from the changeover to the WLTP test cycle and the most comprehensive transformation of the model portfolio in Audi’s history. Positive effects will result from the systematic implementation of the Audi transformation plan that was started at the beginning of the year.

The Audi e-tron prototype combines enormous power and high efficiency. With a system output of up to 300 kW, the full-size SUV with a fully electric drive accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than six seconds. In the WLTP test cycle, it covers more than 400 kilometers on one battery charge. One important factor for the long range is the most innovative recuperation concept among the competitors. The electric SUV proved this with an impressive performance at Pikes Peak.

2018-07-19Audi and Huawei sign memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation

Audi has gained a strong partner for the development of intelligent connected vehicles. The automobile manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic cooperation with the Chinese information and telecommunications corporation Huawei in Berlin today. The agreement forms part of a broad-based partnership between companies in the two countries initiated by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

2018-07-16Audi sales grow by 4.5 percent in the first half of the year

AUDI AG delivered around 164,000 premium automobiles to customers in June. In the United States, sales of the Four Rings were up 0.3 percent, on a par with the prior-year level. As a result, Audi of America achieved its 90th consecutive record-breaking month. In China, deliveries failed to reach the record-breaking level from 2017 (-7.2%) due to the announced tariff reductions. In Europe too, Audi sales were down 1.8 percent on last year. Worldwide and across all Audi models, deliveries increased by 4.5 percent since the start of the year. Cumulative sales total around 949,300 units.

Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler secured the title in the teams’ classification with impressive comeback drives in the season finale. Four podium positons during the weekend, including a one-two finish and 78 of a maximum of 94 possible points, turned a near unassailable deficit of 33 points before the final weekend into a 2-point advantage.

A small tradition continues: This year, like all previous Formula E seasons, the champions will be decided in the final race weekend of the season. On July 14 and 15, Daniel Abt, Lucas di Grassi and Audi fight for the prestigious teams’ title: 33 points must be made up in the two remaining races.

In the course of addressing the diesel crisis, AUDI AG has reached an important milepost: As announced in advance, following the conclusion of internal technical analyses of all its V TDI engines the Company today passed on its essential findings to the German Federal Motor Vehicle Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) as the responsible authority. The details will be discussed over the coming weeks.

Two colors, one process: Audi is expanding the spectrum of its painting methods with the addition of overspray‑free painting. This technology allows specific surfaces of a car body to be painted in a different color – all in one spraying process.

Carsten Bender has been appointed as Brand Director of Audi Middle East effective as of June 3rd 2018. With over 18 years’ experience with AUDI AG, Carsten Bender joins Audi Middle East as the Brand Director in the region. His career with the Four Rings has included international achievements as Sales Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Japan and as the Director of After Sales for the European Markets based at the Company headquarters in Ingolstadt.

The German Federal Motor Vehicle Transport Authority (KBA) will be fact finding about the current state of clarification of the diesel crisis directly at Audi. Besides the software modifications, the main focus will be on the new, optimized processes which are required on the way to achieving the general operating permit.

Audi is shaping mobility in the third dimension. A letter of intent was signed on this subject with partners from the fields of politics and industry in the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Wednesday afternoon. Bram Schot, interim CEO and Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG, announced the start of the Urban Air Mobility project in Ingolstadt together with Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer, Minister of State for Digital Affairs Dorothee Bär, Airbus CTO Grazia Vittadini, Mayor of Ingolstadt Dr. Christian Lösel and other representatives of politics and business.

The Audi A8 is the most innovative model of the year 2018 and Audi is the most innovative premium brand in the “Autonomous driving and safety” category. The “Center of Automotive Management” and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, who together present the “Automotive Innovations Award,” reached this verdict.

AUDI AG delivered around 160,600 premium automobiles to customers worldwide in May. This means that sales are up slightly by 0.7 percent year-on-year. Global deliveries since the start of the year of around 785,300 units were up 6.4 percent on the 2017 figure. Audi generated further growth in China (+7.7%), Asia-Pacific region (+9.3%) and North America (+1.6%) in May. In Europe, around 72,150 units represent a fall of 5.2 percent. With more than 287,000 SUV models sold in the year to date, the Q family continues to provide important momentum.

2018-06-12Audi connect now with Amazon Music and soccer World Cup Ticker

Audi drivers can now also use Amazon Music to listen to their favorite artists in the car. The streaming service is a new component of the Audi connect services. Audi thus continues to drive the digitalization of its cars, placing the focus on the customer experience. And just like it did for the 2016 soccer European Championship, Audi is offering customers a special information service for the 2018 World Cup so they can stay on the ball even while on the road.

2018-06-11Ninth victory in a row: Audi 2.5 TFSI engine named “Engine of the Year” once again

Audi continues its winning streak at the “International Engine of the Year Awards”: For the ninth time in a row, the jury selected the brand’s 2.5 TFSI as the best engine in the 2 to 2.5-liter category. Its 294 kW (400 hp) makes it the most powerful series-production five-cylinder on the global market.

The Audi Q8 combines the elegance of a four-door luxury coupé with the practical versatility of a large SUV. Richly equipped, comprehensively connected and tough enough for off-road duty, it is a confident companion for business and leisure. The Audi Q8 launches on the Middle East markets in autumn 2018.

Five Audi RS 5 DTM cars in the top ten and 41 points in total: Audi has achieved its best result this season to date in Saturday’s race of the DTM’s visit to Hungary at Budapest. The Swiss Nico Müller (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) in third position clinched his first podium this season.

Huge celebrations in Silverstone (Great Britain): in his fourth event for EKS Audi Sport in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX), Andreas Bakkerud made the step onto the winners’ podium for the first time after finishing second. Mattias Ekström completed the strong showing of the powerful 580 hp Audi S1 EKS RX quattro with fourth place.

The better an electric car’s aerodynamics, the further it travels: With a drag coefficient of 0.28, the Audi e-tron prototype achieves a top result in the SUV segment. This figure is a decisive factor in the everyday range of more than 400 kilometers (248.5 mi) in the WLTP cycle. The virtual exterior mirrors constitute one highlight in the aerodynamics concept of the all-electric premium class model.

A collection of luxury jewellery and accessories handmade and designed in Denmark, composed of carbon fiber and diamonds is the result of a brand cooperation between Audi and C6. To celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan, the exclusive Audi Sport collection is now available to purchase in the Middle East at a special price with 5% VAT included.

Audi electrified Berlin with a fairytale finish at the Formula E home race. Thanks to pole position, a dominant one-two finish and the fastest race lap, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler is the first team to score maximum points on a race day of the electric racing series.

Audi Sport customer racing is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Following the presentation of the first generation of the Audi R8 LMS in 2008, the first customers relied on the GT3 sports car the following season – and immediately clinched three driver championship titles. To date, the number of these successes has increased to 52 around the world, plus other class titles have been won and victories scored in 12-, 24- and even 25-hour races. Audi Sport customer racing has by now built 531 race cars for international customers.

2018-05-20Year of new departures: Audi informs its shareholders about the company’s transformation

New production launches every three weeks, new segments and drive technologies, new organizational structures: Audi has started an extremely eventful and ambitious year. At the recent 129th Annual General Meeting in Ingolstadt, the Board of Management informed the shareholders about the current course of business, the model and technology initiative, and the objectives of the Action and Transformation Plan as an enabler for the strategy “Audi.Vorsprung.2025.”

2018-05-17Audi fleshes out its corporate strategy and plans to sell 800,000 electrified cars in 2025

Audi aims to sell approximately 800,000 fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the year 2025. At last week’s Annual General Meeting of AUDI AG, the Board of Management presented the updated “Audi.Vorsprung.2025.” strategy. To enable about every third customer to decide in favor of an e-model by the middle of the next decade, there is to be an electrified variant in each model series by then – most of them are to be fully electric, with a smaller proportion as plug-in hybrids.

Audi Middle East have invited customers to enjoy a 5 star opportunity to own an Audi during Ramadan 2018. This exclusive Audi campaign during the Holy Month is giving customers a variety of affordable opportunities to own a new car this Ramadan.

The popular GTI Meet at Lake Wörthersee was held from May 9 to 12. In on the action: the Audi e-tron prototype. As a towing vehicle for the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, the sporty electric SUV proved its excellent suitability for everyday use.

What a DTM opener at Hockenheim! In Sunday’s spectacular second race, Mike Rockenfeller in the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Phoenix stormed forward to second position after starting from ninth on the grid. His teammate, Loïc Duval, and René Rast (Audi Sport Team Rosberg) scored points for Audi as well. Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) experienced an emotional DTM farewell.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Audi Group surpassed its revenue and operating profit of the prior-year period. The operating return on sales of 8.5 percent was once again within the strategic target corridor. This year, the brand with the Four Rings will launch more new models than ever before in the company’s history, including the first fully electric Audi as a volume model.

Emotional farewell after 17 years in DTM: Mattias Ekström will race in an additional Audi RS 5 DTM in the DTM season opener at the Hockenheimring, so giving motorsport fans yet another reason to watch the races on May 5 and 6 either live at the venue or on television.

In round eight of the Formula E electric racing series in Paris, Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt again electrified the crowd with spectacular fightbacks. After a difficult qualifying, the two Audi drivers gained a total of eleven positions in the race. Di Grassi finished runner-up for the third consecutive time and Abt advanced from 14th on the grid to seventh position.

Audi is continuing its 16-year partnership with FC Bayern München with the return of the Audi Summer Tour. The itinerary includes three exhibition matches against some of the top teams in Europe. The tour begins with a brief stop in Klagenfurt before the Munich-based team jets off to the United States on July 23.

2018-04-19Victories for Audi Formula E in Rome and for Customer Racing around the Globe

Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt clinched positions two and four for Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in the first Formula E race in Rome and thrilled the spectators in the Italian capital with fightbacks. Audi Sport customers also celebrated podium results and victories around the globe. The season openers in Germany and Russia went particularly well.

New record-breaking figure for the Four Rings: Audi concluded its best first quarter in the company’s history. Between January and March the company sold around 463,800 automobiles worldwide, 9.8 percent more than in the same quarter last year. In particular, the high demand in China (+41.9%) and North America (+10.2%) drove growth in the first three months. In Europe, however, sales since January came in below the record-breaking level from 2017, down 4.7 percent. In March, the company delivered around 183,750 premium automobiles (+6.0%) worldwide.

2018-04-11More than 463,000 deliveries worldwide:Audi sets new record for first quarter

New record-breaking figure for the Four Rings: Audi concluded its best first quarter in the company’s history. Between January and March the company sold around 463,800 automobiles worldwide, 9.8 percent more than in the same quarter last year. In particular, the high demand in China (+41.9%) and North America (+10.2%) drove growth in the first three months. In Europe, however, sales since January came in below the record-breaking level from 2017, down 4.7 percent. In March, the company delivered around 183,750 premium automobiles (+6.0%) worldwide.

From 2020 on, the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) is planning to race with electric cars. Audi is currently considering a possible commitment. The technological potential of the current Supercars being fielded in 2018 and 2019 has not been fully exploited either. The new Audi S1 EKS RX quattro is a perfect example as it is superior to its predecessor in almost every area.

The Audi A8 is the “World Luxury Car 2018.” The win underscores the status of the brand’s flagship as the embodiment of “Vorsprung durch Technik.” The award ceremony took place at the New York Auto Show.

The Audi A8 is the “World Luxury Car 2018.” The win underscores the status of the brand’s flagship as the embodiment of “Vorsprung durch Technik.” The award ceremony took place at the New York Auto Show.